Temperature control system and control method for container data center

ABSTRACT

A temperature control system includes a temperature switch, an air outlet valve, an air inlet valve, and a control device. The temperature switch is utilized to detect and determine the external temperature and internal temperature of a container. The control device receives a first and a second signal and determines whether the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve are opened or closed. When the control device receives the first signal, the control device opens the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve, when the control device receives the second signal, the control device closes the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a temperature control system and a control method.

BACKGROUND

A lot of heat is generated during operation of a container data center, which need to be ventilated out in a timely fashion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the presented embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a temperature control system of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the temperature control system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a control method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” The reference “a plurality of” means “at least two.”

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an embodiment of a temperature control system 100 of the present disclosure.

The temperature control system 100 is applicable for a container 8 of a container data center. The temperature control system 100 can comprise a temperature switch 10, a control device 20, a plurality of air outlet valves 31, and a plurality of air inlet valves 32. The air outlet valves 31 can be set on the top wall of the container 8. The air inlet valves 32 can be set on the bottom of the container 8. The control device 20 is set in the container 8 for controlling the air outlet valves 31 and the air inlet valves 32 to be turned on or off.

The temperature switch 10 can comprise two hollow spheres 1 and 2 and a communication pipe 3. The hollow spheres 1 and 2 are made of heat-conductive material, and the communication pipe 3 is made of non-heat-conductive material. The communication pipe 3 communicates between the hollow spheres 1 and 2 in a tight seal. Rheostats R1 and R2 are located in the top of the hollow sphere 1 and are connected to the control device 20. Electrodes T1 and T2 are located in the top of the hollow sphere 2 and are connected to the control device 20. Conductive liquid 5 is contained in the hollow spheres 1 and 2 and the communication pipe 3, and level of the conductive liquid 5 is beneath the rheostats R1 and R2 or the electrodes T1 and T2, that is, the rheostats R1, R2 and electrodes T1, T2 are not influenced by the conductive liquid 5.

Volumes V of the hollow spheres 1 and 2 are the same, and quantity of substance n in the hollow spheres 1 and 2 is the same. Based on ideal gas equation PV=nRT, wherein R is ideal gas constant, pressure P and temperature T is in direct proportion. In the embodiment, the hollow sphere 1 is arranged outside of the container 8 to measure an external temperature, and the hollow sphere 2 is arranged inside of the container 8 to measure an internal temperature.

When external temperature of the container 8 is lower than internal temperature of the container 8, i.e., the temperature of the hollow sphere 1 is less than the temperature of the hollow sphere 2, the internal pressure of the hollow sphere 1 is less than the internal pressure of the hollow sphere 2. Therefore, the conductive liquid 5 flows from the hollow sphere 2 to the hollow sphere 1 balancing the pressure. The level of the conductive liquid 5 in the hollow sphere 1 is increased, which influences the rheostats R1 and R2. The control device 20 controls the air outlet valves 31 and the air inlet valves 32 to be turned on. As a result, cool air from outside the container 8 enters the container 8 to dissipate heat inside the container 8.

The greater the temperature difference between the inside and outside of the container 8, the higher the level of the conducting liquid 5 in the hollow sphere 1. That is, more parts of the rheostats R1, R2 are dipped in the conducting liquid 5, and less parts of the rheostats R1, R2 are connected to the control device 20. The resistances of the rheostats R1 and R2 connected to the control device 20 are decreased, resulting in the air outlet valves 31 and air inlet valves 32 being wider. Then gas exchange capacity of the temperature control system 100 is greater.

When the external temperature of the container 8 is higher than internal temperature of the container 8, i.e., the temperature of the hollow sphere 1 is greater than the temperature of the hollow sphere 2, the internal pressure of the hollow sphere 1 is greater than the internal pressure of the hollow sphere 2. Therefore, the conductive liquid 5 flows from the hollow sphere 1 to the hollow sphere 2 balancing the pressure. The level of the conductive liquid 5 in the hollow sphere 2 is increased, which influences the electrodes T1 and T2. The control device 20 closes the air outlet valves 31 and the air inlet valves 32 such that the air outside the container 8 cannot enter the container 8.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a temperature control method of the present disclosure.

In block 301, detecting an external temperature and an internal temperature of a container.

In block 302, determining whether the internal temperature detected by the temperature switch is greater than the external temperature detected by the temperature switch. If the internal temperature is greater than the external temperature, go to block 303. If the internal temperature is less than the external temperature, go to block 305.

In block 303, outputting a first signal to the control device by the temperature switch.

In block 304, opening the air outlet valves and air inlet valve by the control device.

In block 305, outputting a second signal to the control device by the temperature switch.

In block 306, closing the air outlet valves and air inlet valve by the control device.

In detail, when external temperature of the container 8 is lower than internal temperature of the container 8, the control device 20 controls the air outlet valves 31 and the air inlet valves 32 to be turned on, and cool air from outside the container 8 enters the container 8 to dissipate heat inside the container 8. When the external temperature of the container 8 is higher than internal temperature of the container 8, the control device 20 closes the air outlet valves 31 and the air inlet valves 32 such that the air outside the container 8 cannot enter the container 8 for keeping cool.

Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the disclosure have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes can be made in the details given, including matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure. The embodiments described herein are illustrative and are not intended to limit the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A temperature control system for a container, comprising: a temperature switch for detecting and determining an external temperature and a internal temperature of the container, wherein when the internal temperature is greater than the external temperature, the temperature switch outputs a first signal, and when the internal temperature is less than the external temperature, the temperature switch outputs a second signal; an air outlet valve; an air inlet valve; and a control device for receiving the first and the second signals and controlling the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve, wherein when the control device receives the first signal, the control device opens the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve, and when the control device receives the second signal, the control device closes the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve.
 2. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the air outlet valve is set on a top wall of the container and the air inlet valve is set on a bottom of the container.
 3. The temperature control system of claim 1, wherein the temperature switch comprising: a first hollow sphere made of heat-conductive material; a second hollow sphere same as the first hollow sphere; a communication pipe made of non-heat-conductive material and communicating with the first and second hollow spheres sealed; a first variable resistor and a second variable resistor set on a top of the first hollow sphere and connected to the control device; a first electrode and a second electrode set on a top of the second hollow sphere and connected to the control device; and a conductive liquid contained in the communication pipe and the first and the second hollow spheres, wherein the first hollow sphere is arranged outside the container, and the second hollow sphere is arranged inside the container; when the internal temperature is greater than the external temperature, a level of the conductive liquid in the first hollow sphere is raised to such a level that the first and second resistors are conducted through the conductive liquid, and when the internal temperature is less than the external temperature, a level of the conductive liquid in the second hollow sphere is raised to such a level that the first and second electrodes are conducted through the conductive liquid.
 4. The temperature control system of claim 3, wherein the first and second resistors are rheostats.
 5. A control method, comprising: detecting an external temperature and an internal temperature of a container through a temperature switch; determining whether the internal temperature detected by the temperature switch is greater than the external temperature detected by the temperature switch or not through the temperature switch; outputting a first signal to a control device through the temperature switch in response to the internal temperature is great than the external temperature; outputting a second signal to the control device through the temperature switch in response to the internal temperature is less than the external temperature; opening an air outlet valve and an air inlet valve through the control device in response to receive the first signal; and closing the air outlet valve and the air inlet valve through the control device in response to receive the second signal.
 6. The control method of claim 4, wherein the temperature switch comprising: a first hollow sphere made of heat-conductive material; a second hollow sphere same as the first hollow sphere; a communication pipe made of non-heat-conductive material and communicating with the first and second hollow spheres sealed; a first variable resistor and a second variable resistor set on a top of the first hollow sphere and connected to the control device; a first electrode and a second electrode set on a top of the second hollow sphere and connected to the control device; and a conductive liquid contained in the communication pipe and the first and the second hollow spheres, wherein the first hollow sphere is arranged outside the container, and the second hollow sphere is arranged inside the container; when the internal temperature is greater than the external temperature, a level of the conductive liquid in the first hollow sphere is raised to such a level that the first and second resistors are conducted through the conductive liquid, and when the internal temperature is less than the external temperature, a level of the conductive liquid in the second hollow sphere is raised to such a level that the first and second electrodes are conducted through the conductive liquid.
 7. The temperature control system of claim 6, wherein the first and second resistors are rheostats. 